The Japan Guides

Mount Fuji 2026: All Four Trails Open With Mandatory ¥4,000 Climbing Fee

· 3 min read Travel News
Hikers ascending the trail toward the summit of Mount Fuji

Contents

  1. The ¥4,000 Climbing Fee
  2. Advance Reservations
  3. What’s Changed Since Last Season
  4. Planning Your Climb

All four of Mount Fuji’s official climbing trails are now open for the 2026 summer season, with the Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya routes all accessible from 10 July. The season runs through to 10 September. This year marks the first time the expanded fee and advance reservation rules apply uniformly across all trails, after the Yoshida Trail piloted the system in 2024.

The ¥4,000 Climbing Fee

A per-person fee of ¥4,000 (approximately US $27 / €25) is now charged on all four official trails. The fee is collected at the registration and gate checkpoints on each route, typically positioned at or near the fifth-station access points. It covers trail maintenance, rescue resources, and environmental management on the mountain.

Payment can be made at the gate by card or cash, but climbers who have pre-registered online can pass through more quickly. The gate checkpoint on the Yoshida Trail also includes an overnight closure system: the barrier closes at 4pm and reopens at 3am during peak periods to limit dangerous night ascents and sunrise-queue overcrowding at the summit.

Advance Reservations

For the 2026 season, online advance reservation is strongly recommended for all trails and mandatory during designated peak periods in late July and early August. Climbers book a date and trail through the official Yamanashi or Shizuoka prefecture portals (depending on which side of the mountain the trail lies on). Availability is capped at around 4,000 climbers per day on the Yoshida Trail and proportionally on the others.

Reservations open 30 days before the intended climb date. Without a confirmed reservation during peak weekends, climbers may be turned away at the gate if the daily cap has been reached.

What’s Changed Since Last Season

The most significant update for 2026 is the uniform application of the fee across all four trails. Previously, the Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya trails were fee-free, leading to a partial diversion of traffic away from the Yoshida side - which created management problems on those routes instead. The unified approach addresses this and means climbers can now choose their trail based on preference rather than fee avoidance.

The overnight gate closure on the Yoshida Trail has also been made permanent rather than trialled, following a marked reduction in summit congestion.

Planning Your Climb

The climb from fifth station to summit takes between five and eight hours depending on fitness and route. Descent adds three to four hours. Weather on Fuji is highly unpredictable - summit temperatures can drop below 5°C even in summer, and afternoon storms are common. Proper gear including warm layers, waterproofs, head torch, and trekking poles is essential.

The season runs until 10 September, but conditions are statistically best in late July and early August. Early September can see shorter daylight hours and early-season deterioration.

If you’d prefer a guided ascent with an English-speaking guide - including support with gear, pacing, and route navigation - GetYourGuide lists guided Mount Fuji climbing tours departing from the fifth stations.

For more on planning a Japan trip around outdoor experiences and day trips from Tokyo, see our things to do in Japan guide. For logistics including getting to the fifth stations by bus from Tokyo and Shinjuku, our practical Japan guide has the detail.